Jimmy E. Forbis hired as Monterey finance director

Monterey >> Monterey hired a new finance director at a "critical time," the city announced Monday.

Jimmy E. Forbis will earn roughly $224,000 a year and starts May 5.

Forbis earned $186,474 in 2013 at his previous job as utilities business manager for Morgan Hill, according to that city.

"We are fortunate to have Jimmy Forbis join our team," City Manager Mike McCarthy said in a news release. "His skills are right on target with what we need to fill the finance director position, and we look forward to his contributions."

The city said in the release it is facing a $1 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year.

The City Council is still "working on the feasibility" of a ballot measure to raise the city's sale tax, the release said.

Forbis replaces Don Rhoads, who left last March to become the finance director of Beverly Hills.

In Monterey, Rhoads earned a base pay of $155,352 and a total pay, including benefits, of $229,242.

Forbis' final pay amount will not be set until he selects his benefits, said Michele Maloney, Monterey's acting human resources director.

Forbis had been with Morgan Hill since 2007. Before that he worked for San Mateo County and Los Altos Hills.

He has a master's degree in public administration finance from San Jose State University and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

The annual budget for the city's finance department is $3.8 million. Full-time salaries for the entire city make up more than $38.6 million.